Cornwall Mayor Leslie O’Shaugnessy finally came out of hiding and spoke with the CBC regarding Wormgate. He blames Social Media and at the end suggested misinformation. Oddly enough he spoke with CBC instead of local media.

The mayor has refused to grant an interview to CFN since his election even though it was CFN viewers that kept the flicker of his political career alive and put him in office.

He was quite happy to do an episode of Seaway Radio regarding the Municipal act and corruption though back in 2014.

In his interview below with CBC he shows a clear disconnect as he did with the Vincent family Ice Rink. Clearly Mayor O’Shaughnessy doesn’t appear to remember that he is here to serve the public and not vice versa. Hiding behind interpretations of by laws does not grow a community.

He cites a change to Garage Sales in Cornwall, but was there really a reason to limit people to two per year? Was that in Cornwall’s best interest? Did he consult with the public?

He has also stayed silent during one of the hottest Summer’s while Cornwall Housing has implemented restrictions on the use of window air conditioners putting people’s health and safety at risk.

And now Wormgate which has the parents of two boys ready to go to court to defy the threat of $240 per day fines for their kids selling worms in their front yard from a Coleman cooler!

The public, here in Cornwall and right across Canada, have shown clear support for the Cadieux boys so the question would be why is the Mayor digging in?

There’s nothing wrong with amending or creating new by laws if a situation warrants it, especially if you’re going to interpret certain by laws so stringently. One might even argue that it’s the Mayor and council’s job to do so.

Here is Mayor O’Shaughnessy’s CBC Interview:

In the interview he laments the city getting a black eye for following the wishes of the people in implementing the by law which clearly isn’t the case regarding Wormgate as the public has loudly spoken that they want the boys to be able to sell their worms in peace.

“What we have here is a case where Social media has sunk its teeth, um, into an issue, based on incorrect information that they take as gospel”

What incorrect information? CFN, which exposed the incident posted the citation from the city and presented the clear facts which other media have covered as well. What information is incorrect? As for Social Media, I know the mayor is a senior, but in 2015 if you want to be in politics you better be fully aware of Social Media and its double edge.

“The mayor doesn’t agree that the bylaw needs rewriting.

“The fact that the population of the city of Cornwall is 47,000 and you would change a bylaw for one person, to me, is asinine,” he said, adding that the incident has become a “black eye” for the city for enforcing a bylaw “that is strictly following the wishes of the people.”

“You are allowed to [sell worms] in the confines of your home, with no signage,” he said. “In other words, if people want to pick up worms, they knock on your door, you hand them the worms, they hand you the money, they leave. “

The reason Cornwall hovers at 47,000 people is because its elected officials hide from issues like this and consistently fail at resolving challenges in the community as they have with Wormgate, Cornwall Housing’s air conditioner rule, and most sinesterly the Vincent Family Ice Rink which may have led to the loss of employment for Mrs. Vincent who will not discuss the matter.

Cornwall has many issues like this that can help a city like ours grow of you choose correctly and show leadership.

Why not have a Seasonal By law which allows for signage of a certain dimension? Who would that hurt?

When I spoke with Councilor Towndale I offered my draft of a new by law but sadly it was not accepted.

Now we see the Mayor shoot down Towndale’s idea in the CBC interview.

47,000 people should not have to wait for one day every four years to have their voice impact on their elected officials.

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This mayor seems to contradict his own words,on one side he says that boys are allowed to sell their worms only inside the home with no signs, on the other side of mouth says that lawn sales can be allowed twice a year & of course signs are a given…….which is it, inside or outside

Mayor O should go back and listen to some of the lofty things he said on the Seaway Radio interview. (Good interview, Jamie) He closes saying “we” (city officials) are at the bottom of the food chain, we have to be accountable and transparent to the people, yet he won’t even grant a local interview on CFN. As jules would say, LOL and ROLF!!!

Does Cornwall’s mayor live in Cornwall? Has he in the last three months driven the length of say Pitt Street? He talks of by laws and control to avoid adverse appearance and perception of the city. Really? Using your front lawn to sell vehicles and boats is common place and goes completely unchecked and is in my opinion more of an eyesore than yard sales, lemonade stands,worms for sale etc. Dear mayor if you are considering a used car or boat consider taking a drive on Pitt Street to do your shopping. There is a large boat on a front… Read more »

Two garage sales a year allowed……yes a few cities / towns have implemented this measure. Some people use it as a constant source of income. After two garage / yard sales you need a permit. Personally I think its a good idea. Imagine living beside someone that had one every weekend, if there were no controls.

Wormgate has taken a life of its own. How about we let the Cadieux family and city hall work it out? Imagine if every bylaw infraction made it to the news. Where would we be?

Now I’m beginning to realize why Mayor “O” has been nicknamed the “Preacher” at City Hall . What a terrible interview on CBC ! Yes Mary, his interview was full of contradictions. He never fully answered the questions & then began preaching his knowledge of municipal by-laws ! Deal with the issue Mayor “O”, these are KIDS, with parents that are trying to instill a positive life lesson to their boys. Glad to see the Cadieux Boys have lawyered-up , kudos to Andre Bourgon for his support.

The only two things asinine about this whole affair is that this ridiculous bylaw even exists and two, the Mr. Mayor’s comments. How does he know how many kids are selling worms to make extra money during the summer? Has he gone around town and checked himself? Is he proud that he and the rest of council could possible ruin two young lads hopes of purchasing something they would like to get by not addressing the topic until the end of August? I would suggest that before Council members, including the Mayor, start flapping their lips that they investigate what… Read more »

For the Mayor of our fair city to say that changing the bylaw for one person is asinine only goes to show that he and the rest of City council has tunnel vision or, are they only looking out for the interests of the companies that sell worms in our community. This whole situation goes far beyond the two young lads who are trying to earn some extra cash and show some initiative to get something they want on their own. This antiquated bylaw affects every citizen of Cornwall. Try looking at the big picture before running off at the… Read more »

The man should not even be in the political arena..
From what i see he thinks he is a (big) man because he has mayor in front of his name without having any idea what that really means ..
this is just my opinion m

Jamie and folks honest to God I haven’t stopped laughing about “wormgate” at all whatsoever and thought about something funny overnight. I have to control my laughter and want to tell you my crazy insane thoughts. Overnight I thought about Leslie hiding out on the people and he is a coward and being that our own PM hid in a closet at the Parliament Bldgs. when all the hollaballoo went on with the shooting of the military fellow that maybe Harpo would extend a personal invitation to Leslie to join him in the closet. LOL LOL. ROLF! Leslie is a… Read more »

A disgrace to us and buffoons to the rest of Canada!!! Thank you Cornwall City Council for humiliating your citizens, and bringing yourselves into disrepute. Your Worship (my butt) Leslie O’Shaughnessy, please note… De Minimis Non Curat Lex: a common law principle whereby judges will not sit in judgment of extremely minor transgressions of the law. You’ve demonstrated such pig headed intransigence (again), and poor judgement, that you can no longer be trusted to run affairs on our behalf. Look around the council table… a lawyer that allowed employee harassment on her watch, another that is a convicted criminal awaiting… Read more »

mac – the Mayor is not a preacher but a politician! Big difference in my book – the Holy Bible. Christians. especially preachers, are to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4;15). The carbon copy of the last mayor that we had is still holding office, and definitely is not a preacher!

Pastor Newton I missed you and wanted to ask Jamie where you were. Yes Leslie is a carbon copy of BOB and there is no change but only the same old nonsense going on. Yesterday I came across a funny article on the freeloader about a noisy parrot and came across something pretty insane from Connecticut but Jamie didn’t post it. Here is the one about the noisy parrot which is crazy as I am: Cornwall noise complaint: It’s Vegas baby http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2015/07/31/cornwall-noise-complaint-its-vegas-baby Honest to God people cannot get any nuttier than what is going on even I feel more sane… Read more »

Jules- I do pray for the Mayor, and the counsel on a regular bases (as we are told to do -1 Tim.2; Romans 13). Since God was kicked out of the counsel room, no wonder if God gives them all up to more foolishness. Worse yet to come! Hell fire and damnation. They think they will not have to give an account for their lies, actions, ect. – not so. They might slip by now, but at the Great White Judgment, when they will have to stand before King Jesus and give an account, noting will be hid. No excuses… Read more »

Furtz: The stay there will not be pleasant at all – God guarantees that: “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments…”(Luk 16:23). It is the righteous judgment of God upon sinners that continue to reject God’s gracious offer of salvation in this life. Paid day is coming!

Furtz I will help Pastor Newton to pray for you. Honestly Furtz you are not a bad person – maybe a little wacky like myself but not bad. I think that we are in a lot of hell as it stands now and much more to come. I won’t go into it here and I am pooped out of so much laughter.

Jules – the Holy Scriptures declares that we are all “bad people”. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one”( Rom 3:10-12). Read the rest of Romans 3:13-19. The degree of “badness” we manifest is not controlled by some innate goodness, but by God’s overriding sovereignty. As fallen sinners all we can do is sin. We are free agents – we choose our… Read more »

Furtz….A god that is purported to be a loving god who created man and gave him free will and then threatens that creation (man) with eternal damnation if he doesn’t tow the line and renounce that free will is not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea.

Perhaps Furtz you should use the free will to shop around for a more compatible match. Or like the song “don’t worry, be happy”.

Pastor Newton I thank you and I am going to look through the chapters in the Bible that you quoted. I have heard some people quote Romans 13 a lot. Yes you are absolutely right about the evil leaders and others going to hell and that is so very true. Yes we are all sinners and nobody is perfect at all. We all have to look over our own conscience and do what we can to improve. God just doesn’t one to do good deeds but also to love and honor Him. A lot of people have turned their backs… Read more »

Pastor Tom it is my ability to reason that gives me the free will to forgive the ignorance of someone such as yourself. That is my opinion and like Voltaire I would defend you right to an opinion as well. Remembering all the while that an opinion is neither right nor wrong but only a matter of perspective. May your God protect and bless you Pastor Tom and may the flames not engulf you.

Pastor Tom you ask “How about you-David? and I reply that nothing happens to me that I do not choose or invite to happen. This is not only my opinion but the respected opinion of learned scholars over our history. If you have another opinion that you understand more readily and therefore accept as your truth then you may not be in large company but you will have exercised your free. Like Voltaire I can get behind that concept as it is not about the conclusion but rather the means that gets you there. All the best Pastor Tom on… Read more »

Actually Voltaire was a double looser – first in this life, and in the next. Rom 1:21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”, Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, David Hume, and many others declare openly that they would see the Bible completely removed from society in their day. It did not happen. In the middle of the spread of French infidelity, God breathed on the West in what is… Read more »

As far as Leslie is concerned he has some connections loose and those neurons that are supposed to be functioning have seized to operate in a normal function. Leslie should take a look at the infestation of an inground swimming pool on Sydney Street that belongs to an adult that has abandoned the property to live in Florida. To go and jump on little kids aged 7 to 10 for something innocent like a lemonade stand and selling worms is insane. I thought that BOB was off his hinges until Leslie showed up and went against kids last Christmas for… Read more »

A little off topic but, OMG the taxpayers are going to have to pay for an integrity commissioner??? It’s going to cost us about $20,000 to have the council do their jobs honestly and the way they are expected to? What is REALLY going on here? The news about this council gets more and more depressing by the day. Next thing you know we’ll be paying salary for a media relations position, just because councilors can’t be bothered to use the brand new laptops we bought them to use social media and spread positivity about Cornwall and give explanations and… Read more »

Jerry…..totally agree. But Cornwall is not the city to have an integrity commissioner. There are 32 cities across Ontario that use one. As for a media relations position Cornwall already has one, sort of, Kevin Lajoie. But once again Cornwall is not alone. Most cities have a person who is responsible for media relations. And hopefully with the realignment of some city positions the city will not be behind the eight ball when stuff happens here.

True Hugger, the realignment of some positions should help communication flow a bit smoother. But as for Cornwall not being the only city for this and that my opinion is that it doesn’t matter what other communities are doing. We just need common sense to be used here and tackle issues one by one and fixed the way OUR city needs it to be done. They need to stop looking elsewhere and use common sense and listen to the people they were elected to serve. Just my little opinion.

Jerry here’s a simple reality. Since 2012 the city has boycotted CFN. Before that we had to fight and claw for every ad dollar and usually work for 10 cents on the dollar in spite of the results we achieved. We had a city and elected officials at that time start calling this online newspaper a blog as well. That’s a huge PR fail. Frankly there are those that are so concerned about playing petty politics they forget that they were employed or elected to work for the community. Until that truly changes, whether it be in relation to CFN,… Read more »

Agreed Jerry. But sometimes politicians cross the line and need to be set straight. A perfect example is Tammy Hart in South Stormont. In a perfect world we wouldn’t need integrity commissioners or CFN. But we live in a less than perfect world.

Jamie, you are so right. The boycott i don’t think is you personally. What i mean is, if ANYONE who tried to change things for the better for this community, or hold those in positions of power accountable for their monkey business they too would meet the same unfortunate fate as CFN. It really is unfortunate and sad. I for one appreciate alternative/independent sources of information. Anyone who doesn’t usually has skeletons to hide or are old and closed minded. The potential and benefit of having a source like CFN is grand, and can help the citizens of Cornwall out… Read more »

You said it right Jamie. Today I pointed out to my daughter the work being done on some buildings in a project that is mighty bad here and the corporation that owns it is changing balconies and so many other upgrades. My daughter answered back: “You can put pearls on a pig and it is still a pig” and how mighty true that is. Nothing has changed for the better at all in Cornwall and never will until the people themselves wake up and make those changes and stop living in the mentality of antiquities that have no sense at… Read more »